"Laurell K. Hamilton - Anita Blake 06 - Killing Dance" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Laurell K)

sometimes."
I wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning my face against his chest. I
closed my eyes, and for just a moment I breathed in the smell of him. It was
more than his aftershave; it was the smell of his skin, his warmth. Him. For
just a moment, I sank against him and let it all go. I let his arms be my
shelter. I knew that a well-placed bullet would destroy it all, but for a few
seconds, I felt safe. Illusion is sometimes all that keeps us sane.
I pushed away from him with a sigh. "Let's give our regrets to Catherine
and get out of here."
He touched my cheek gently, looking into my eyes. "We can stay if you
want."
I nestled my cheek against his hand and shook my head. "If the shit hits
the fan tomorrow, I don't want to spend tonight at a party. I'd rather go back
to my apartment and cuddle."
He flashed me that smile that warmed me down to my toes. "Sounds like a
plan to me."
I smiled back because I couldn't not smile back. "I'll go tell Catherine."
"I'll get the coats," he said.
We did our various tasks and left early. Catherine gave me a very knowing
smile. I wished she was right. Leaving early to jump Richard's bones beat the
heck out of the truth. Monica watched us leave. I knew that she and Robert
would report back to Jean-Claude. Fine. He knew I was dating Richard. I hadn't
lied to anybody. Monica was a lawyer at Catherine's firm—frightening thought
all on its own—so she had a legitimate reason to be invited. Jean-Claude
hadn't arranged it, but I didn't like being spied on, no matter how it came
about.
The walk to the car was nerve-racking. Every shadow was suddenly a
potential hiding place. Every noise a footstep. I didn't draw my gun, but my
hand ached to do it. "Dammit," I said, softly. The numbness was wearing off. I
wasn't sure it was an improvement.
"What is it?" Richard asked. He was suddenly scanning the darkness, not
looking at me while he talked. His nostrils flared just a little, and I
realized he was scenting the wind.
"Just jumpy. I don't see anyone out here, but I'm suddenly looking too damn
hard."
"I don't smell anyone close to us, but they could be downwind. The only gun
I smell is yours."
"You can smell my gun?"
He nodded. "You've cleaned it recently. I can smell the oil."
I smiled and shook my head. "You are so blasted normal, sometimes I forget
you turn furry once a month."
"Knowing how good you are at spotting lycanthropes, that's quite a
compliment." He smiled. "Do you think assassins would fall from the trees if I
held your hand right now?"
I smiled. "I think we're safe for the moment."
He curved his fingers around my hand, and a tingle went up my arm like he'd
touched a nerve. He rubbed his thumb in small circles on the back of my hand
and took a deep breath. "It's almost nice to know that this assassin business
has unnerved you, too. I don't want you afraid, but sometimes it's hard to be
your guy when I think you may be braver than I am. That sounds like macho